A Chronometric Defect

Hrah, that went even better than I'd expected. Was I always so good at negotiation? I toothily grin, my exposed teeth probably making all nearby plant life recoil in fear. I mean, can anyone even see my teeth? My maw's totally black.

...

Reh, it's likely an intimidation aura or something. I thought I sounded cool with my speech about love and hate, but unfortunately, the leader seemed more impressed when I picked him out. He wasn't sitting at the table, after all.

What an unusual fellow to not sit at the table he runs. Isn't that a little like saying he's hands off, or a moderator, unless he's needed? It's a pretty odd decision for a leader... But I think it means he's more chill than most. Maybe he won't become a tinpot dictator just because he defeated Achiton's former leadership.

Though, as I was saying. I picked him out with Master Pathfinder. Sure— I had an inkling he was important. People all around the room kept looking at him, even though I expected them to be looking at me. He holds a great deal of respect in their minds. I wasn't sure he was the top leader until Pathfinder agreed.

I'm still plenty proud of how I handled it. Just one guy dies in exchange for one woman living. It's a fair trade. More than fair, I suppose, given their personalities. In a pure numbers sense, though? It's a wash. I suppose Pure Evil shouldn't care about that, but it bothers me anyway.

Speaking of— the whole event was relatively non-violent. The only things I've fought were Parasite and that team of rogues and rangers. Yes, I might've torn them all apart, but it counts as non-violent, okay? Because I'm a dragon?

...

Raghh...

I can't think like that. I mean, If I want to stay sane.

Why don't I see myself a human anymore? I just don't. At all. I've no clue why that part of myself has slipped away so easily and completely. But I do need to care about life; regardless of species. It's not optional.

Reaping lives like one reaps wheat IS pure evil, and I've no desire to act like my name.

Even if they are puny humans.

I shake my dragon head. No!

I'm not an evil dragon.

I swear; not evil.

...

Pure Evil.

Grah!

I decide to refocus on my journey ahead instead of thinking about annoying philosophical issues. Maybe it's a fool's errand, but I've once again asked Pathfinder for the most valuable enemy I can easily defeat. Last time I did?

I got so much, and became so much more.

I examine my mental map.

It points to an entirely different city. My goal is in a very large building, this time. I'm hopeful that means it won't be another near-death experience with the most random opponent possible. I'm flying there right now.

I look at the horizon speeding toward me. I have no idea how fast I'm flying, but dang! Dragons really are amazing. I'm amazing. It seems I'm flying much faster than the first time. Which is really saying something.

I felt like I was a jet liner before. Now? Oh, jeez! How ridiculous. I feel like I could dogfight with a modern jet fighter from my original world and... Come out on top.

Freakin' awesome!

Hrr.

Status?

Name: Pure Evil

Level: 37

Job: Dragon Acolyte (Pure Evil Variant, Ready)

Skills: Devour

Talents: Parasitic Body and Mind (Evolved)

Stats:

Str: 497

Sta: 563

Int: 703

Wis: 676

Free Points: 1800

Sweet mercy.

I'm now quite certain 50 free points per level is abnormal. 1,800 far outstrips any two of my three stats put together. Since I'm so strong already, do I even need those? And why did my flight speed go up so much when each of my stats only increased by 175? I'm not sure these scale linearly. What would happen if I dumped 1,800 points into one stat?

Hrh...

Maybe there's something else I can glean from my status. Alright, I've nothing else important until I get to that other city. I could practice magic up here, but I feel like knowing how these stats work is a way bigger deal. I've been wondering about it from the moment I saw my status. I mean, my status was one of the first things I saw in this world. Yeah, it's worth understanding.

Status, detailed.

...

Status, more details.

...

Status, show all.

Name: Pure Evil

Your name has been bestowed upon you by the highest of your heritage. You therefore possess the sole providence of the one whom has eternally dictated existence itself.

Nevertheless, such a powerful being has already died.

Yet you remain— as the one who rules your destiny.

Level: 37

Kills: 33 (see list)

Job: Dragon Acolyte (Pure Evil Variant)

Your body has transformed from mere kaizen into full-blooded dragon. Rejoice! For the dragon lineage within you has awakened. As a Dragon Acolyte, your lineal talents will further awaken as you gain stats and will likewise grow stronger as you level up. This job can be advanced to Dragon Mage at level 20.

This job can be advanced to Dragon Archmage at level 40 for a free points scalar. Skipping the previous stage currently has no downsides.

Bonuses:

Perfect Body, Perfect Mind

Overmind

Skills:

Devour: Devours your opponent. Sates hunger.

Talents:

Parasitic Body and Mind (Evolved):

Parasite failed to take over your mind, and as a result, only succeeded in evolving your draconic body before dying. You've gained the full abilities of Parasite. You can take over bodies and minds, Devour any opponent, and manually unlock sealed bloodlines, skills, and talents.

Chronometric Fixation (Active)

Your fate is forever pinned to the chosen pivot. Even if you die and are reborn in a different body or a different world, the gears of fate will pull you inexorably toward your destined pivot. From this point forward, you won't be able to escape from your fate, but neither will anyone else whose fate you've ensnared.

Since your pivot was fixed, you've adapted to your fate with incredible ease. Your chosen pivot has accepted your will, and in turn, has bestowed you with unfathomably great power.

Pivot Type: Evolution

Related Fates: Dragon God, Pure Evil

Bonuses: Indomitable Will

Stats:

Str: 497

Indomitable Will: Your Will is resistant to infiltration.

Sta: 563

Perfect Body, Perfect Mind: Your body and mind are united. You won't fatigue easily and will be impervious to outside influence.

Int: 703

Master Pathfinding: You innately get a sense of the direction of your target. Master level.

Overmind: Allows your mind to simultaneously focus on multiple tasks with alacrity.

Wis: 676

Perfect Body, Perfect Mind: Your body and mind are united. You won't fatigue easily and will be impervious to outside influence.

Free Points: 1800

Free points can be used to increase stats, but can also be used to fortify the base power of one aspect of your being. Only one fortification may ever be performed. The number of free points used determines fortification potency.

WOW!!!

Look at all this!

My expanded status sheet makes me feel like rubbing my scaly hands together. This is far beyond what I'd expected. Sure, I became a dragon. Cool, awesome. It really is.

But there's still so many opportunities for growth! You're telling me I can be even stronger?!

I look at my name and Chronometric Fixation. These explain so, so much. No wonder I couldn't comprehend what the talent's description was talking about! Half of it was hidden in my name, and the other half was partly sealed. Best yet, it also clarifies that I do indeed have control over my Will.

Sure, the dead dictator of reality could be lying, and it's admittedly odd that this being isn't called 'god' or something. But, in that case I wouldn't have a choice anyway, so what does it even matter? I'd rather feel like I'm making my own decisions... The only alternative is that I'm playing out their chess moves with my body. Like a weird puppet.

I mean, if they're so powerful— what's even the point of that?

The other two important points here are conceptual. Skipping a job upgrade, and using free points for a job, skill, or talent fortification. These two seem to be intertwined as the job upgrade's bonus refers to free points. I'm not sure how exactly the two interact, but I'm gonna save my points until at least level 40 and find out. It's not like I need the Dragon Mage job.

Stronger spells? Why?

Is my goal to annihilate the planet?

Then again.

Maybe it's silly to aim for a better job? I'm already so strong that I don't even need an upgrade.

Ehr... Hrr... Nrah!

Why shouldn't I become as strong as possible?

I nod my dragon head. Yes, that feels proper somehow. Dragons should always become stronger.

As for the free points fortification, do I even need to ask? I have 1,379 combined points in mental stats, so I'd better not be stupid enough to fortify anything other than my lineage. Adding more stats may seem cool, sure, but the basis of everything is my dragon lineage. I MUST fortify my dragon lineage. Said lineage appears to be related to Chronometric Fixation, somehow, since the lineage doesn't show up as its own talent. Also, the fact said talent isn't visible on my unexpanded status sheet despite being active... Hrr. I have no idea what's going on there; maybe it's not the best idea to fortify that one. I'll decide how to best fortify my lineage once I've discovered more about my new body.

Regardless, this is all great information. I just have one unanswered question. How do stats scale?

Status, stat scaling.

...

Status, stat info.

...

Status, stats, sh—

My normal stat section pops up.

Damn. This isn't working.

Sure, I don't need free points right now, but it still bothers me not knowing exactly how they work. Well, c'est la guerre. No point dwelling on it, I suppose!

Mostly because...

I see my target city. I don't have time for stats anymore. I presume these folks won't be as acquiescing as the syndicate, but like the syndicate, they ultimately won't have any choice.

I'mma dragon. Rawr.

I raise my head up high and take in a deep breath. My huge lungs fill with air like a set of powerful bellows. My scaled chest bulges proudly, my tail twitches with excitement, my wings flap powerfully behind me.

And I breathe out.